Concerned citizens and redwood area activists will bike south along Redwood Highway 101 from Arcata to raise awareness of the threats to our State Parks and the intentions of Caltrans to “RIP” a hole in the famous “Redwood Curtain” located within Richardson Grove State Park.

The “Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run” is an event designed to bring attention to the fact that California will suffer a tragic loss if our State Parks are closed; and the $10 million Caltrans project to widen Highway 101 through Richardson Grove S.P. in Humboldt County is costly, unnecessary and could have detrimental effects to the millennial Coast Redwoods, as well as endangered species such as nesting marbled murrelets and northern spotted owls that inhabit the ancient grove. Caltrans is moving ahead with the Richardson Grove Improvement Project (RIP) without conducting preliminary wildlife surveys within the State Park.

Beginning Saturday, October 2 at 8:45 a.m. in the Arcata Plaza, bicyclists will take to the streets on a three-day tour of Humboldt County along the Redwood Highway to protest the budget cuts made by Governor Schwarzenegger that may close over 100 State Parks throughout the entire State of California.

The Redwood Curtain, located within Richardson Grove S.P., is celebrated by local residents (as well as by tourists from around the world) as being the “Gateway to the Redwoods.” The “curtain” is recognized by residents as a living shield, defending the North Coast of California from mass development, “Big Box” invasion, and exploitation of natural resources. It is the sacred place where Highway 101 winds through the Ancient Redwoods that greet drivers as they enter the Redwood Coast traveling North alongside the Eel River.

The Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run is an adventure open to the public for all skill levels of cycling. Camping will be included. Participants may join and depart from the ride at various points along the route, or choose to go the full distance and complete the three day 90+ mile tour that will also follow the Avenue of the Giants in Redwood State Park, home of future and current State Park closures. Participants are responsible for their own safety, gear, supplies, and transportation home. The tour will finish at Richardson Grove State Park with a gathering and protection ceremony for the Redwood Curtain starting at noon on Sunday, October 4. Participants are welcome to continue with organizers to the San Francisco Bay Area and then to Sacramento to rally at the State Capital.

For Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run volunteer and participant information, please visit: http://saverichardsongrove.blogspot.com or email: humboldtforestdefense@gmail.com.

Information regarding California State Park closures can be found at: http://savestateparks.org/

For more information about the Richardson Grove Improvement Project (RIP), please visit: http://wildcalifornia.org, http://treesfoundation.org, http://saverichardsongrove.org.

Submitted by Humboldt Forest Defense